About the Program
The School for Studies in Art and Culture offers a program of study and research leading to the degree of Master of Arts in Film Studies. Priority is given to critical and historical concepts and methods pertaining to the study of media technology and aesthetics; national and transnational cinemas in their global contexts; Canadian and Quebec cinema; animation and new media; and film's relationship to literature, theatre, music and the visual arts.
Academic Regulations
- See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
- A standing of B- or better must be obtained in each course counted towards the master's degree.
Admission Requirements
- The minimum requirement for admission to the Master's program in either a full-time or part-time capacity is a B.A. (Honours) or the equivalent in film studies or a related discipline with high honours standing. Related disciplines might include mass communication, art history, literature, Canadian studies, women's studies, and history. Applicants without a background in film studies may be required to take a maximum of two full credits from designated courses in the undergraduate Film Studies program in addition to their normal M.A. program requirements.
- Applicants who lack an Honours degree, but who have a three-year degree in film studies or a related discipline with a minimum standing of B+, may be admitted to a qualifying-year program. Students who complete the qualifying-year requirements with high honours standing or better will be considered for admission to the master's program. The regulations governing the qualifying-year are outlined in the General Regulations section of this calendar.
Program Requirements
The specific program requirements for students in the M.A. program are as follows:
- 1.0 core credit required
- 2.0 additional credits
- Thesis (equivalent to 2.0 credits)
- Total of 5.0 credits required
In choosing the two additional credits beyond the core seminar and the thesis, students may take 0.5 credit outside the Film Studies program subject to the approval of the Graduate Supervisor.
Because of the strong conceptual demands of the program and the expectation that students be able to synthesize ideas in a substantial piece of written work, the research essay option will not be available in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree.
Deadlines
Normally, full-time students should complete their course work by the end of the second term, and part-time students by the end of the fifth term.
Thesis Proposal
Students normally will submit a detailed thesis proposal to the thesis proposal committee no later than March 1 of the first year of registration for students enrolled full-time and no later than the middle of the fifth term of registration for students enrolled part-time.
Language Requirements
A reading knowledge of french (or another language approved by the Film Studies Graduate Supervisor) is required.
